Sunshade awning

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a modular sunshade awning system comprising at least a first awning unit comprising a frame formed from a closed loop of a strip of a flat wire spring-like element, the area enclosed by the closed loop being covered by an opaque material, and a plurality of semi-rigid poles, each of the poles having a first end adapted to be attached to a ground surface and a second end of each of the poles being provided with a slot sized to receive a segment of the flat wire strip, and a releasable latch for securing the strip to the pole.

The present invention relates to a modular awning system.

More particularly, the invention provides a plurality of pole and foldable sunshade components which can be assembled together in various combinations to provide a large or moderately sized awning, typically for use on a beach, park, other recreational areas, the military, spectators at sporting events or to protect a vehicle. The present invention is not concerned with the smaller sunshades commonly used to protect the windscreen or other windows of vehicles.

Awnings which shield people from excess solar radiation have been in use for thousands of years. Modern developments have brought improvements such as the use of synthetic fabrics, lighter and stronger support struts, shaped awnings for improved resistance to winds and improved retraction and folding systems.

Presently known large-area awnings are often not suited for protecting outdoor groups. Where individual sunshade panels are provided these are usually not large enough. On the other hand, roll up awnings are unlikely to be of the desired width and will cover only a rectangular area. For example, roll-up awnings are unsuitable for covering a curved area.

The following review of recent US patents provide a fair illustration of the present state of the art.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,273 Chan discloses a self-extending portable, storable panel. A rectangular spring wire loop can be twisted for retraction. Loops are provided for suspension.

A screen enclosure comprising a combination of a vertical axis enclosure covered by a removable umbrella-shaped roof is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,712 to Robinson. The enclosure is of a fixed size.

Zheng describes a circular, rectangular-section wire frame in U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,147 which can be folded to a third of its extended area with the help of cables attached at 120° spacing.

Stanley et al. disclose a rooflike structure for protecting a vehicle in U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,435. A rigid steel post at a side of the awning provides central support thereto.

Cheng, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,871 describes an adjustable sunshade assembly which requires a wall or a rigid stand for support from its center. The connecting tube forms a cantilever beam and is telescopically adjustable.

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,422.252 Pilz et al. disclose a fan-like sunshade. A plurality of rods meet at a central point. The rods are arranged to be deployed while pivoted about a first common axis. A sunshade pole supports the rods through a pivot joint.

An adjustable-angle canopy frame for a sunshade is disclosed by Tung in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,183. A joint on the main support post allows setting the canopy frame at a desired angle. The structure supporting the flexible covering is substantially similar to that of an umbrella. The same can be said of the collapsible frame structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,993 to Chou.

The commercially-available Sydney Opera Shade™ by Car Shade Australia derives strength and wind resistance by being curved in two directions, the axes of curvature being perpendicular to each other. While available in 5 different sizes, whatever size is chosen cannot be size adjusted.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art awnings and to provide a sunshade system which can be size adjusted, is foldable for compact storage and is of moderate cost.

The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a modular sunshade awning system comprising at least a first awning unit comprising a frame formed from a closed loop of a strip of a flat wire spring-like element, the area enclosed by said closed loop being covered by an opaque material, and a plurality of semi-rigid poles, each of said poles having a first end adapted to be attached to a ground surface and a second end of each of said poles being provided with a slot sized to receive a segment of said flat wire strip, and a releasable latch for securing said strip to said pole.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a modular sunshade awning system wherein said flat wire spring-like element has a width of at least 3 mm.

In a further preferred embodiment a modular sunshade awning system wherein said first end of said pole is tapered to facilitate its forcible insertion into said ground surface.

In a further preferred embodiment modular sunshade awning system wherein said opaque material is flexible and said first awning unit has at least one axis of at least one meter in length and said flat wire spring-like element forming the frame thereof has a width of between 3 and 10 mm.

In yet a further preferred embodiment a modular sunshade awning system wherein at least one of said poles is provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an awning unit.

In another preferred embodiment a modular sunshade awning system comprising a pair of awning units held in adjoining array by at least one pole provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an awning unit.

In a further embodiment of the invention a modular sunshade awning system wherein said semi-rigid pole comprises an elongated structural member wherein said second end supports a pivot perpendicular to the direction of said slots, said slots being disposed in a pole-head arranged to swivel on said pivot.

In a further embodiment of the invention a modular sunshade awning system, wherein said semi-rigid pole comprises an elongated structural member, said second end supports a pivot perpendicular to the direction of said slots, said slots being disposed in a pole-head arranged to swivel on said pivot.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a modular sunshade awning system comprising a plurality of awning units held in adjoining array by a plurality of semi-rigid poles, each of said poles being provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an individual awning unit.

Some further embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter.

It will thus be realized that the novel awning of the present invention serves to:

-   -   a) be expandable to meet unforeseen requirements;     -   b) is quickly erected (and dismantled) without requiring tools;         and     -   c) achieves moderate cost due to mass production techniques         which are applicable when a product contains multiple numbers of         the same component.

The invention will now be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments with reference to the following illustrative figures so that it may be more fully understood.

With specific reference now to the figures in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective, fragmented view of a preferred embodiment of the awning according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment where each pole is provided with twin slots, the opaque material not being shown for illustrative purposes;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment where pair of awning units are held in adjoining array;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plurality of awning units held in adjoining array; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational detail view showing a preferred tilt arrangement.

There is seen in FIG. 1 a part of a modular sunshade awning system 10. A first awning unit 12 comprises a frame formed from a closed loop of a strip of a flat wire spring-like element 14. The flat wire element 14 can be of metal, or made of a tough plastic such as polyamide, acetal or medium/high density polyethylene. The flat wire spring-like element has a width of between about 3 mm and 20 mm. Preferably the flat wire element 14 forming the frame in the present embodiment has a width (seen as height in the figure) of between 3 and 10 mm.

The area enclosed by the closed loop is preferably large enough to allow folding by twisting the flat-wire frame. Thus the first awning unit 12 has two axes XX and YY which each exceed one meter in length.

The frame formed by the flat wire spring-like element 14 is covered by an opaque material 16, for example a woven, colored polyester cloth. The opaque material is flexible, thus allowing loop folding of the awning unit 12.

A plurality of semi-rigid poles 18 are provided, only one of which appears in the figure. Each pole 18 has a first (lower) end 20 adapted to be attached to a ground surface. Advantageously the first end 20 of the pole 18 is tapered to facilitate its forcible insertion into a soft ground surface.

The second, upper, end 24 of the pole 18 carries a fixed headpiece 26 provided with a slot 28 sized to receive a segment of the flat wire element 14.

A releasable latch 22 revolvably mounted on top of headpiece can swivel on an axis parallel to the axis of the pole 18. In the shown embodiment the axes of the releasable latch is coincidental to the pole axis. When closed the latch 22 secures the flat wire spring-like element 14 to the pole 18. The releasable latch 22 is shown here is in its closed position.

With regard to the rest of the figures, similar reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts.

Furthermore, all awning units are provided with an opaque material, but this has been omitted in the drawings to promote clarity thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen a pole 30 provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots 32. Each slot 32 is sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element 14 of an awning unit 12.

The latch 22 for securing the element 14 to the pole 30 is here seen in its open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a portion of a modular sunshade awning system 28 comprising a pair of awning units 12 held in adjoining array by a plurality of poles 30, only one o which is seen in the figure. The pole 30 is headed with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots 32, each of the slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element 14 of an awning unit 12. The releasable latch 22 is shown again in its closed position.

Turning now to FIG. 4, there is seen a portion of a modular sunshade awning system 34 comprising a plurality of awning units 12 held in adjoining array by a plurality of semi-rigid poles 30. Each pole 30 is provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots 32, each of the slots 32 being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element 14 of an individual awning unit 12.

It will be seen that the awning units 12 seen in the figure are not aligned lengthways; this is arranged so as to cover a non-rectangular area. By releasing the latch 22 and sliding the flat wire element 14 along one of the slots 32, it is possible to provide shade cover to any area whatever its shape.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is depicted a detail of a pivot arrangement for a modular sunshade awning system.

The second upper end 36 of the pole 38 carries a headpiece 40.

The headpiece 40 comprises a fixed lower portion 42 and a swivel upper portion 44.

The lower portion 42 is rigidly retained in the pole 38 and supports a first portion of a pivot 46.

The upper portion 44 is supported on the pivot 46, and is provided with two slots 48 sized to receive a segment of the flat wire element 14. The pivoting arrangement is useful because the semi-rigid poles 38 when in use will not necessarily be disposed perpendicularly to the awning unit 12 seen in FIG. 1. The axis of the pivot 46 is perpendicular to the direction of the slots 48 therein, and is also perpendicular to the axis of the pole.

Preferably the angle of swivel of the upper portion 44 is limited to about 40 degrees swing in each direction. Such limit eases the assembly task of attaching the rectangular frame of the awning unit 12 to the pole 38.

It will be evident to those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the details of the foregoing illustrative embodiments and that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A modular sunshade awning system comprising at least a first awning unit comprising a frame formed from a closed loop of a strip of a flat wire spring-like element, the area enclosed by said closed loop being covered by an opaque material, and a plurality of semi-rigid poles, each of said poles having a first end adapted to be attached to a ground surface and a second and of each of said poles being provided with a slot sized to receive a segment of said flat wire strip, and a releasable latch for securing said strip to said pole.
 2. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 1, wherein said flat wire spring-like element has a width of at least 3 mm.
 3. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 1, wherein said flat wire spring-like element has a width of between about 3 mm and 20 mm.
 4. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 1, wherein said first end of said pole is tapered to facilitate its forcible insertion into said ground surface.
 5. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 1, wherein said opaque material is flexible and said first awning unit has at least one axis of at least one meter in length and said flat wire spring-like element forming the frame thereof has a width of between 3 and 10 mm.
 6. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said poles is provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an awning unit.
 7. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 6, comprising a pair of awning units held in adjoining array by at least one pole provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an awning unit.
 8. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 6, comprising a plurality of awning units held in adjoining array by a plurality of semi-rigid poles, each of said poles being provided with a pair of spaced-apart substantially parallel slots, each of said slots being sized to receive a segment of a flat wire spring-like element of an individual awning unit.
 9. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 6, wherein said semi-rigid pole comprises an elongated structural member wherein said second end supports a pivot perpendicular to the direction of said slots, said slots being disposed in a pole-head arranged to swivel on said pivot.
 10. A modular sunshade awning system according to claim 9, wherein said the angle of swivel of said pole head is limited to about 40 degrees in each direction. 